Ellen is from Wilpoorinna Station outside of Maree, South Australia. After completing primary school through School of the Air and secondary schooling as a border at Annesley College in South Australia, Ellen went on to achieve a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Veterinary Biology at Charles Sturt University NSW. She finished 1st class Honours in 2012. In 2018 Ellen received a Nuffield Scholarship to investigate the effects of climate change on red meat production in arid and semi-arid rangelands.

Ellen says “I am passionate about securing a sustainable future for our community in this rapidly changing environment. I believe that great advocacy for outback communities is required to ensure that policy decisions effecting the community and livestock producers are beneficial to our area.” She says outback Australia is an extremely unique environment and covers such an expanse of land but research and resources for the area are very limited. As the world population continues to rise the ability of pastoralists to produce a protein source whilst maintaining a natural eco system will be of utmost importance.”

Mark Coffey says “The trust supports individuals in their pursuit of knowledge to support people that live in outback Australia. I am very pleased that we can assist Ellen in her research which will result in new and innovative ideas to enable pastoralists across the outback to achieve more sustainable outcomes. Research and Industry development provides new opportunities for outback Australia to continue to play a critical role in food production across the country and the Connellan Airways Trust is proud to play a role in this development”.